Microscopic beauty: Prize-winning photos

16th place: "Fossilized Turitella agate containing Elimia tenera (freshwater snails) and ostracods (seed shrimp) (7x)"

The Nikon International Small World photography contest shines a light on the very small. For decades, the contest has showcased the beauty of photomicrography -- photographs taken through a microscope. Out of 2,000 submissions, the contest chose twenty standouts to honor.

Credit: Douglas Moore/ Nikon Small World